News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “Florida may allow bear hunting for first time in a decade”
11 hours ago

Florida may allow bear hunting for first time in a decade

The state will consider proposals for the first sanctioned bear hunt since a controversial hunt in October 2015.…

Featured image for “The roller coaster of temperatures continues”
15 hours ago

The roller coaster of temperatures continues

Jacksonville will wake up Thursday to temperatures in the mid- to upper 30s.…

Featured image for “Florida senators start filing bills for legislative session”
The Florida Capitol. | News Service of Florida
2 days ago

Florida senators start filing bills for legislative session

Senators are gearing up for the 2025 legislative session, which will begin March 4.…

Featured image for “Is there a Christmas tree crisis after 2024 hurricane season?”
3 days ago

Is there a Christmas tree crisis after 2024 hurricane season?

Many of Florida’s Christmas trees come from the Carolinas, which were devastated by Hurricane Helene.…

Featured image for “A citrus comeback is budding in North Florida”
Louise Divine and Herman Holley of Turkey Hill Farm sell their Hamlin oranges fresh on an online marketplace. | Turkey Hill Farm
3 days ago

A citrus comeback is budding in North Florida

Warmer temperatures and new technologies are helping a citrus industry born in St. Augustine.…

Featured image for “Cold front arrives in North Florida; warmup to follow”
December 6, 2024

Cold front arrives in North Florida; warmup to follow

The cold front will bring temperatures near freezing from the Panhandle to Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Proposed law would restrict development in state parks”
Anastsia State Park | News4Jax
December 5, 2024

Proposed law would restrict development in state parks

The legislation would prohibit development like the lodge and pickleball courts once proposed at Anastasia State Park in St. Johns…

Featured image for “Florida’s property insurance market is rebounding”
A dog wades through floodwaters near collapsed homes on the coast of rural Taylor County on Sept. 27, 2024. | Kate Payne, AP
December 5, 2024

Florida’s property insurance market is rebounding

Changes to Florida laws are working as intended to bring the property insurance market back from the brink of collapse.…

Featured image for “Experts say UF meetings violated Sunshine Law”
The University of Florida confirmed that the public has not been allowed to attend board of trustees' private retreats. The university said the law did not apply to the retreats because board members don’t vote or take official actions during those sessions. | Azhalia Pottinger, WUFT News)
December 4, 2024

Experts say UF meetings violated Sunshine Law

The UF board of trustees has met repeatedly in private settings where the public was not allowed to attend.…

Featured image for “Federal judge will consider social media rules for minors”
December 4, 2024

Federal judge will consider social media rules for minors

Starting Jan. 1, kids 13 and under will no longer be able to have a profile on certain social media…

Featured image for “Stuck at a stoplight? Outdated traffic signals might be why”
A traffic signal stops vehicles at Sunbeam Road in Jacksonville.
December 3, 2024

Stuck at a stoplight? Outdated traffic signals might be why

A new study concludes that delays at traffic signals cause congestion and accidents, harm the environment and endanger pedestrians.…

Featured image for “Feeding Florida food banks seek help from lawmakers”
Feeding Florida says farmers and consumers benefit from a program to share excess food. | Andrii, stock.adobe.com
December 3, 2024

Feeding Florida food banks seek help from lawmakers

Food banks, including Feeding Northeast Florida, want to expand a program that pays farmers to send them excess food.…

Featured image for “State Sen. Randy Fine seeks to replace U.S. Rep Mike Waltz”
State Sen. Randy Fine, R-Brevard County. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida
November 26, 2024

State Sen. Randy Fine seeks to replace U.S. Rep Mike Waltz

With the backing of President-elect Donald Trump, state Sen. Randy Fine said Tuesday he will run for a congressional seat…

Featured image for “2024 hurricane season among the worst for tornadoes”
November 25, 2024

2024 hurricane season among the worst for tornadoes

This season ranks third for the most tropical cyclone-induced tornadoes in a hurricane season, over the past 30 years…

Featured image for “Will 2025 be the year Florida passes an open carry law?”
An attendee at a gun-rights rally open carries his gun in a holster on Jan. 18, 2019, at the Capitol in Olympia, Washington. | Ted S. Warren, AP
November 25, 2024

Will 2025 be the year Florida passes an open carry law?

The new Senate president opposes open carry, but gun owners hope they can win over the Legislature in 2025.…

Featured image for “Florida will pay $725K in ‘Stop WOKE’ case”
November 21, 2024

Florida will pay $725K in ‘Stop WOKE’ case

Florida has agreed to pay legal fees and costs for businesses that successfully challenged part of the “Stop WOKE Act.”…

Featured image for “Florida pushes back in lawsuit over schoolbook removal”
Books are stacked in a school library. | SKT Studio, stock.adobe.com
November 19, 2024

Florida pushes back in lawsuit over schoolbook removal

The state disputes that a state law regulating schoolbooks violates the First Amendment.…

Featured image for “Coldest temps of the season are headed our way this week”
November 19, 2024

Coldest temps of the season are headed our way this week

A strong cold front will bring temperaures in the 40s on Friday morning.…

Featured image for “Florida commits more money to lure back tourists after storms”
Boats sit after being pushed ashore by floodwaters from Hurricane Helene on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in St. Petersburg. | Mike Carlson, AP
November 18, 2024

Florida commits more money to lure back tourists after storms

Visit Florida has added $1 million to a campaign to convince tourists that Florida is open for business.…

Featured image for “Tropical Storm Sara forms; effects on Florida uncertain”
November 14, 2024

Tropical Storm Sara forms; effects on Florida uncertain

Tropical Storm Sara will be a slow-moving storm that will linger in the western Caribbean before emerging over the Gulf…

Featured image for “Tropical Storm Sara likely to develop in Caribbean”
November 13, 2024

Tropical Storm Sara likely to develop in Caribbean

A weather system in the Caribbean has a high chance of developing into Tropical Storm Sara and possibly into a…

Featured image for “5 takeaways from Tuesday’s election in Florida”
Political signs dotted the grass outside Jacksonville Beach City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 6, 2024

5 takeaways from Tuesday’s election in Florida

Republicans had a great election night. Democrats? Not so much. And 60 is a magic number in Florida…

Featured image for “Hunting rights approved; partisan school races nixed”
Voters decided to add hunting and fishing rights to the state Constitution. | Charlie Riedel, AP
November 5, 2024

Hunting rights approved; partisan school races nixed

Voters rejected partisan school board races but added hunting and fishing rights to the state Constitution.…

Featured image for “Abortion rights amendment falls short of passage”
Demonstrators rally in support of abortion rights outside Orlando City Hall on May 3, 2022. | John Raoux, AP
November 5, 2024

Abortion rights amendment falls short of passage

The proposal received support from 57% of voters, less than the 60% needed to pass.…